Vistry, the UK’s leading provider of mixed-tenure homes, has signed contracts with Housing Plus Group to deliver 398 affordable homes at the former Rugeley Power Station site, after receiving planning permission to start work on the first 547 homes, the spine road, and associated public open space on the 139-hectare development. The brownfield site, once home to a coal-fired power station that closed in 2016, has already undergone demolition and remediation works. The planning consent paves the way for delivery of the new neighbourhood, including around 2,000 homes in a mix of tenures including affordable homes, private rented sector homes (PRS) and homes for sale on the open market, alongside an all-through school, a riverside park and space for commercial use. Michael Moore, Managing Director of Vistry North West Midlands, said: “Our partnership with Housing Plus Group to deliver 398 affordable homes is a major step forward for the regeneration of the former Rugeley Power Station site. Alongside securing planning permission for the first phase, it means we can now move ahead with confidence and begin creating a high-quality new community for Rugeley. Like many areas of the UK, the town has a severe shortage of housing, and this development will help address that need by delivering affordable and social rent homes, as well as PRS and open market homes, at pace.” David Hall, Executive Director of Investment and Growth at Housing Plus Group said: “Delivering almost 400 new affordable homes marks a key moment in our partnership with Vistry and in the delivery of our development programme as we continue to create places people are proud to call home. This exciting strategic site is a key element of growing our provision of high-quality affordable homes. As a place-based leader, we are committed to delivering for our customers and communities in Staffordshire.” Work is expected to start on the 547 dwellings, spine road and associated public open space and sustainable drainage measures over the coming weeks. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Affordable housing consortium Habiko has taken a major step forward in its ambition to deliver thousands of affordable homes across England after securing planning approval for its first residential development in Warrington town centre. The partnership between Muse, Homes England and Pension Insurance Corporation has received the green light from Warrington Borough Council for the Academy Way project, marking the first approved scheme within Habiko’s long-term national housing pipeline. Located on the former DW Sports site close to the town’s Time Square district, the 1.5-acre development will deliver 240 affordable apartments across two six-storey residential blocks. The scheme will comprise 162 one-bedroom and 78 two-bedroom homes, designed to provide high-quality rental accommodation within easy reach of the town centre and transport connections. The approval represents an important milestone for Habiko, which launched in late 2024 with a commitment to deliver 3,000 affordable rental homes across England over the next 12 years. Warrington is the first scheme within the consortium’s wider strategy to secure planning consent, with additional developments currently progressing in Solihull, Chester and Liverpool. According to Habiko, the homes will be offered at rents capped at least 20% below local market rates or within Local Housing Allowance thresholds, helping address growing affordability pressures facing renters across many parts of the country. The development has been designed by AHR Architects and will centre around a landscaped communal courtyard intended to create a stronger sense of community and wellbeing for residents. Sustainability and low-carbon living have also played a key role in the scheme’s design, with the homes expected to help reduce tenants’ energy costs through improved efficiency and modern building standards. Sarah Chicken, senior development manager at Muse, said the project reflects the partnership’s ambition to deliver affordable homes that combine quality, sustainability and accessibility while supporting local regeneration. The Academy Way scheme also forms part of the wider regeneration momentum taking place within Warrington town centre, particularly around the Time Square area, where significant investment has been focused on residential, leisure and mixed-use development in recent years. While construction timings for the project have not yet been confirmed, the planning approval signals the beginning of Habiko’s broader affordable housing delivery programme and underlines the increasing role of public-private partnerships in addressing the UK’s housing shortage. As pressure continues to grow on local authorities and developers to deliver affordable and energy-efficient homes at scale, schemes such as Academy Way are expected to become increasingly important in supporting both housing demand and wider urban regeneration ambitions across the UK. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Construction has begun on a new development of energy-efficient homes in Billericay, with housebuilder Bellway launching a 47-home scheme on the southern edge of the Essex town. The development, known as Mayflower Mews, is being built on a 3.5-acre site off Southend Road and will include a mix of one, two, three and four-bedroom properties. The homes will feature a range of energy-efficient measures aimed at reducing carbon emissions, including solar panels and electric vehicle charging points for every property. The project is also expected to bring significant investment to the local area, with more than £1.5 million allocated towards services and infrastructure. More than £1 million of that funding will go towards off-site affordable housing as part of the planning agreement. Bellway Thames Gateway Sales Director Ed Brading said: “Our commitment to building homes of the future is exemplified here with a range of sustainable properties that work beautifully for the way people want to live. “These energy-efficient, modern homes will cost less to run and have a reduced impact on the environment because they are designed and built to be well insulated through our ‘fabric first’ approach. “The varied styles of our homes and the range of property sizes mean that there are options for customers with a variety of requirements and budgets, including first-time buyers aiming to take their first step on the property ladder. “The location also makes Mayflower Mews highly desirable as it is just a 10-minute drive from Billericay railway station, which has services to London Liverpool Street that take around 35 minutes. It’s five miles to Basildon, and less than 15 miles from the coast. “And the development is not only providing much needed high-quality housing for the area, but investment in schools, culture, health, and employment.” The site’s location offers strong transport links, with Billericay railway station providing direct services to London Liverpool Street in around 35 minutes, while Basildon and the Essex coastline are both within easy reach. The development is expected to appeal to a broad range of buyers, including first-time purchasers and families seeking modern, lower-cost homes with reduced environmental impact. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

More than £24.6 million will be invested in local infrastructure as part of the planning agreement for a community of up to 800 new homes which is set to be built in Water Eaton. Bellway and Christ Church Oxford have worked together on the plans to create a sustainable community on land to the east of Oxford Road. The development will provide up to 400 affordable homes and serve as a new gateway to the city of Oxford. Cherwell District Council’s planning committee first gave its backing to the outline plans in June 2024. The formal planning agreement has now been issued, detailing the wider commitments Bellway and Christ Church have made. Financial contributions include £7.74 million for primary education, £5.86 million for secondary education, more than £6.5 million towards roads and transport and more than £2.2 million for sports facilities. The development will enhance biodiversity on the land by more than 20 per cent and has been awarded a Building with Nature design accreditation. Paul Smits, Managing Director for Bellway Northern Home Counties, said: “This new community in Water Eaton has been designed to bring benefits to local residents and to the environment. “This requires more than simply building homes. Our plans demonstrate how the foundations will be laid for a new neighbourhood featuring vast areas of parkland, orchards and play areas, a community area and school, as well as new housing, all connected by walkways and cycle paths to encourage green modes of travel. “Wildlife habitats will be created and enhanced, while historic features such as the underground remains of historic barrows will be protected. “The provision of up to 400 energy-efficient affordable homes, as well as the significant financial support for local services, will deliver tangible benefits to people living in this part of Oxfordshire.” Wilf Stephenson, Chief Information Officer for Christ Church, said: “Four hundred affordable homes in Oxford is a significant number, and one that reflects Christ Church’s genuine commitment to the communities around its landholdings. “Sustainability has been central to the design of this development from the outset: our Responsible Ownership Policy for Property sets rigorous standards across ecology, energy, carbon and wellbeing, and those standards have shaped every decision taken at Water Eaton. “We look forward to seeing a community built here that benefits both the people who live in it and the environment around it.” The development will provide land for a new primary school and funding towards land for a secondary school. Financial contributions will also support household recycling, road and transport improvements, and a community development worker. The outline planning consent gives formal approval to the masterplan and core areas of the development. Detailed plans for each area will be prepared by Bellway and submitted to Cherwell District Council for approval before work begins. The first detailed planning application for infrastructure is due to be submitted in the coming weeks, with a residential application to follow soon afterwards. Bellway hopes to start work later this year. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

A major new build-to-rent development is set to reshape part of central Norwich after property investor Zive Capital secured planning approval for the £80m Victoria Gardens scheme. Located on the former Queens Road Marsh office site, the brownfield development will bring 432 new rental homes to the city across a series of contemporary residential buildings. The vacant office block, which had remained unused since the pandemic, was demolished in 2024 to pave the way for the regeneration project. Designed by Broadway Malyan, the scheme will feature five main residential blocks that gradually step down in scale towards a collection of townhouses positioned at the southern end of the development. Alongside new homes, Victoria Gardens will include around 500 sq m of flexible commercial, incubator and retail space, aimed at supporting start-up businesses and Norwich’s growing creative and digital sectors. The wider masterplan has been designed to create a more connected and accessible neighbourhood, opening up a site that was previously closed off from surrounding streets. Proposals include new pedestrian walkways, landscaped courtyards, communal gardens and public open spaces intended to encourage community interaction and improve the urban environment. As part of the approved plans, Zive Capital has committed to delivering 10% affordable housing, with the potential for this figure to increase should the development exceed financial expectations. Adam Zive, principal at Zive Capital, described the planning approval as a major step forward for the project and highlighted the company’s ambition to create a long-term residential community in the city. The scheme reflects continued investor confidence in the UK build-to-rent sector, particularly in regional cities where demand for high-quality rental accommodation and mixed-use urban regeneration continues to grow. Construction is expected to begin within the next 18 months. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Developer Amstone has appointed Keady Construction as main contractor for the £150m No.1 Knightsbridge residential development in Stockport. The major scheme will deliver 588 apartments across a series of residential blocks ranging from five to 15 storeys, further strengthening Stockport’s growing appeal as a key residential and regeneration hotspot in the North West. Construction is expected to begin during the first quarter of 2027, with the project being delivered in phases over the following two-and-a-half years. Keady Construction, part of the wider OHOB Group, was selected due to its strong track record in large-scale residential delivery and experience within the private rented sector market. Adnan Siddiqi, Director at Amstone Ventures, said the developer was particularly attracted to Keady’s expertise within the residential sector, alongside its approach to design quality and environmental considerations. He highlighted the contractor’s recent completion of a 31-storey residential tower on Skinner Street in Leeds, which delivered 399 private rented apartments, as evidence of the company’s capability to successfully deliver large urban living schemes. Kieran Duggan, Director at Keady Construction, described No.1 Knightsbridge as another important milestone for the contractor as it continues expanding its portfolio of major residential developments across the north of England. He added that following the successful completion of the Leeds project for Ridgeback Group, the Stockport scheme further strengthens Keady’s growing client base, which also includes major names such as Peel Holdings and Legal & General. The project reflects continued investor confidence in regional residential markets, particularly in well-connected town and city centres where demand for modern apartments and build-to-rent accommodation remains strong. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

One of the UK’s fastest growing affordable housing developers is heading to UKREiiF tomorrow with a blueprint for unlocking difficult regeneration sites. Keon Homes will be speaking at the biggest real estate investment infrastructure show in the country and is using the platform to announce the start of its latest scheme for City of Wolverhampton Council’s £1bn housing framework. The Burntwood-based company will begin construction on the £28m Heath Town site on the edge of the city, transforming the old Duke of York pub into 32 affordable one and two-bedroom council apartments. This marks the next phase in the wider £120m regeneration of the area that will eventually deliver up to 120 new homes across five different locations, all following on from the earlier success of Hobgate Road and Tithe Croft. Managing Director Richard Williams, who will be one of the main speakers at the Housing Delivery Showcase on Tuesday, said: “We are pleased to bring forward the Duke of York scheme, a development that shows the Keon model works…combining modern delivery methods, strong stakeholder collaboration and a focus on social value to unlock difficult regeneration sites. “It also underlines our capability to scale regeneration programmes across multiple sites under framework agreements, with this latest one following the start of ambitious projects at New Park Village and Lincoln Green in Bushbury.” He continued: “UKREiiF is the perfect place to highlight what we believe is a blueprint that could be replicated across other towns and cities facing similar housing and regeneration challenges. “Phased regeneration, mixed housing needs, accessibility, community-focused design and long-term partnership is working in Wolverhampton and supporting a local authority in accelerating housing delivery while creating lasting social impact.” The Duke of York project replaces a long-vacant building with affordable housing, acting as a real gateway site into Wolverhampton city centre. This will be reflected by enhanced landscaping, shared garden spaces and balconies to encourage placemaking and community interaction. All properties will be energy efficient and built to a high standard providing a place for individuals and families in the area to proudly call their home. Richard went on to add: “I’m really looking forward to speaking at UKREiiF, talking in partnership with Midland Heart on how we have played a fundamental role in bringing the iconic Port Loop development back to life and our eagerly awaited work on Tower Ballroom in Edgbaston. “The Housing Delivery Showcase will be one of the highlights of the West Midlands Pavilion and reflects the entire region’s commitment to working with the real estate sector to drive residential delivery.” In just seven years, Keon Homes has grown from a start-up operation into a genuine leader in affordable housing, transforming the way sustainable homes are delivered to thousands of people. The last twelve months has been its most active year yet, with 376 properties completed and a further 250 units in the process of being built across the Black Country, Birmingham, Coventry, Lichfield and Telford. For further information, please visit www.keonhomes.co.uk Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

A former grammar school site, latterly used as a business centre, in Winsford Town Centre, Cheshire has been brought to market as a residential development opportunity.  Cheshire West & Cheshire Council has appointed CBRE as its agent for Verdin Exchange. Verdin Exchange is a 51,968 sq ft listed red-brick building dating back to 1895 on an extensive 3.89 acre site fronting the town’s High Street (A54). Originally built as a technical school and latterly used as a business centre, the site has been identified as prime for redevelopment as a residential-led scheme, subject to planning. Initial feasibility work highlights the site’s potential for a blend of one, two and three-bedroom apartments set across the existing building and two new-builds, complemented by landscaped amenity space and high-quality public realm. The development could create a sustainable living environment in an established and well-connected Cheshire location, adjacent to the recently redeveloped Winsford Cross Shopping Centre, at the heart of the town’s ongoing regeneration. The scheme represents a rare opportunity to combine the conversion of a heritage asset with new-build development, enabling the creation of a distinctive residential destination within a revitalised town centre setting. Neil Kirkham, Head of Liverpool Office at CBRE commented: “Verdin Exchange represents a compelling opportunity to deliver a high-quality residential scheme in a well-connected and evolving Cheshire town.  The combination of a prominent town centre location, strong transport links and the character of the existing building provides developers with the chance to create a truly distinctive place to live.  With capacity for a mix of apartment types alongside landscaped amenity and public realm improvements, this is a site that can make a meaningful contribution to Winsford’s continued regeneration.” The site is being offered for sale on a freehold basis, with interest sought from developers capable of bringing forward a deliverable, design-led scheme.  Verdin Exchange is being marketed on an all enquiries basis, but recognises there is a strong residential development opportunity. Gemma Davies, Director of Economy and Housing, Cheshire West & Chester Council “The Verdin Exchange is an iconic and much-loved building in Winsford town centre. Its striking architecture makes it a Winsford icon and it is a building that the community is keen to see open its doors again. Cheshire West & Chester Council is seeking a developer who can support its goal to safeguard the future of Verdin Exchange and give it a new lease of life by restoring the listed building and maintaining and enhancing the community uses of the site. Ensuring this building can play its part in the vitality and vibrancy of the town long into the future. The first phase of regeneration works has already been a real success story and we’re excited to see what comes forward from developers for the Verdin Exchange to support us in achieving our ambitions for this great town that Winsford residents now and in the future can be proud of.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals